Rafael Nadal feels he is currently playing at a good level after he booked his place in the next round of the BNP Paribas Open after the Spaniard (3/1 to win the tournament) comfortably overcame Mario Ancic in the third round.

The former world number one made light work of the Croatian, breaking him four times on his way to a 6-2 6-2 victory at Indian Wells to set up a meeting with John Isner after the American overcame compatriot Sam Querrey 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 on Monday.

Nadal (4/5 to win the French Open) says he is continuing to take it slowly on his return from a series of injuries which blighted 2009 for Spaniard.

“Coming back from an injury you have to start slowly,” said Nadal.

“But I am pleased with the way I am playing, and I am in the next round so that is the important thing.”

Elsewhere in the third round of the Master Series event Novak Djokovic squeezed past Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3 2-6 7-6 (7-3) in a tight match and will now face Ivan Ljubicic.

Joining the Serbian in the next round will be Juan Monaco after he caused the upset of the day when he beat 11th seed Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Tuesday will see the conclusion of the third round matches with Andy Murray looking to avoid an upset when he takes on Michael Russell (10/1 to beat the Brit in the match prices) while Andy Roddick faces rank outsider Thiemo De Bakker.